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Can
Kotoko break Kessben’s home invincibility?
By: Jerome Otchere, Kumasi
23:53GMT, 09-01-2010
Following Wednesday’s goalless
draw game against All Stars, the question being asked by
supporters of Kumasi Asante Kotoko is whether the club can stand
the might of league leaders Kessben FC, when they trek to the
Anane Boateng mini stadium this Saturday.
The first round of the Glo Premier
League ends this weekend and each of the sixteen clubs is
itching to have a favourable result. From all indications,
Kessben FC looks set to maintain their lead having led right
from the beginning.
At the time that Asante Kotoko
have been far from impressive and convincing for that matter,
many are banking their hopes probably on the illogicalities of
football to prevail for the Porcupine Warriors to break to the
hard resolve of the Aseda Boys tomorrow.
It is not as if Asante Kotoko
cannot win the upcoming match but given their form lately, it
surely will be a difficult encounter for them. They would have
to play above themselves to emerge victors.
The stakes are high for both sides
though, but Kessben FC by virtue of their strength at home and
their generally impressive performance, on paper are clear
favorites.
The last match between the two
teams at the Anane Boateng mini stadium ended 1-0 for Kessben
FC’s under their present Coach Bashir Hayford who will not
underestimate Kotoko in anyway. The coach has however promised
to chalk another sweet win.
Whether Paa Kwesi Fabin and his
charges can outsmart Coach Bashir Hayford and brilliant team of
players remains to be seen on Saturday. As widely known, the
worst home result for the Aseda Boys this season has been a
draw.
Kotoko does not have that record
to boast of at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium and even in terms of
their away record, it is not appealing.
That notwithstanding, the recent
win over Bechem Chelsea at the Sunyani Coronation Park should
serve as a motivation for the team. Also having started the
season on quite a poor note with a draw in the away encounter
against Great Olympics (in a match that could have easily gone
Kotoko’s way) the reds ought to go into Saturday’s game with the
attitude of a team determined to end the first half of the
league season on a bright note.
The players’ mindset should as
well be to give their teeming fans something to cheer about.
Therefore the onus lies heavily on Coach Paa Kwasi and his
assistant Yaw Acheampong to make a good statement tomorrow.
Except for the injured players who may not recover in good time
for the match, the technical team is not likely to make
substantial changes in the team they have used in the last three
outings.
From Aduana to Behem Chelsea and
lastly All Stars, two changes have been seen in the starting
eleven. The trend is therefore expected to persist but even if
significant changes are made, whoever is fielded in tomorrow’s
match has a responsibility to live to up expectation. It is the
last match of the first round; every side would like to end
satisfactorily and Asante Kotoko has that feeling too. They must
all out! Good luck to Coach Paa Kwasi and his charges! |
